Chapter 37: Memories of the past?
"Are we all ready to go?" Molly fusses, looking at her watch.
"Yes Mum," she receives from two of her children.
"Yes Molly," I reply, waiting for Erin.
Erin runs down the stairs and nearly trips with all her bags in her hands.
"I'm so sorry Mrs Weasley!" Erin apologises loads of times.
"Don't worry dear, I'm glad you're alright! Oh and call me Molly dear!" Molly waves off and picks Teddy from his playpen.
"We all ready to Apparate to the station?"
"Yep!" Molly hears from everyone, including Erin.
"I'll be going with Teddy by Floo so I'll see you there. We're a bit late so we'll have to hurry to the barrier!" Molly says, taking some Floo-Powder.
I take Ginny's hand and we Apparate to the busy King's Cross Station. We wait for the others in the cold snow.
I give Ginny a quick kiss before the others arrive.
"I hope for a magical and special last term of Hogwarts for us all!" I whisper in her ear. She smiles and returns the kiss.
"I hope so too. I'm quite nervous for the huge amounts of homework and our N.E.W.T exams at the end of the year. I might start studying when we get back!" Ginny says.
"You're starting to sound like Hermione!" I say as Ron, Hermione and Erin appear at our sides.
"Who? What?" Hermione looks alert after I said her name.
"Ginny was telling me that she's going to start studying for the exams when we get back!" I exclaim, looking surprised.
"Bloody hell! Already?!" Ron adds. "You really are st-"
"Stop complaining and start walking! We only have seven minutes to get on the train and we also have-" Hermione starts before Ron interrupts her.
"We know where we have to go so save your time by-" Ron says before someone else interrupts him.
"Just both shut up and get a move on!" Erin snaps as she starts walking.
Ron and Hermione both look utterly surprised by Erin.
"She has a point you know!" Ginny laughs and runs to catch up with Erin.
Ron, Hermione and I follow them and I'm still laughing because of Erin's comment. She really is brilliant.
"Oh shut up," Ron mumbles, turning a bit red.
"Where were you!" Molly shouts as we arrive. We gulp as Ginny starts talking.
"Ron and Hermione were holding us up by arguing but we really have a train to catch!" Ginny explains, giving her mum a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye darling!" Molly replies as Ginny runs into the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10.
I just realise that this will be the last time in my whole life that I will be running at this wall as a student myself. It's actually quite sad but I don't have any time to think about it because we're all in a hurry.
"Come on Harry dear, all the others have already gone through!"
Molly's voice takes me from my thoughts and brings me back to the platform. I nod and hold the trolley firmly. I take a deep breath and make a sprint to the wall. I try to remember the magical feeling as I go through the wall.
"Harry!" Ginny exclaims as she gives me a hug.
"Whoah!" I exclaim as I nearly loose balance.
"We were wondering if you were still coming, you were taking quite long!" Ginny says quickly.
"Yeah, I got lost in thoughts," I mumble, looking at the floor.
"I'm glad you're alright," Hermione adds.
She's wrong, I'm actually not alright. I feel the complete opposite. I remember when Hagrid walked with me in the station like it happened yesterday. When he told me all about the start of Hogwarts and everything about the castle and this world. It feels like that's all ending. It isn't true because I've still got a whole lifetime of magic but I'll be going to Hogwarts for the last time as a student.
"Harry?" Ginny snaps her fingers in front of my face. My head jerks up and I look at her.
"Someone wants to say goodbye!" Ginny says, looking at Teddy.
I leave my trolley as I go to him and take him from Molly's arms. Teddy looks really sad, just as I was feeling a minute ago.
I hold him like I'm protecting him from someone or something but what I'm really trying to protect him from is time. He's growing so fast that I can't really call him small anymore. He's almost 1!
I plant a kiss on his head and then hold him so I can see his face.
"Look Ted, I want you to be a good boy for Molly and Gran yes? I promise that I'll visit you often because I talked with Professor McGonagall about it. And don't forget, I love you very much! I always have and always will!" I say, nearly on the verge of tears.
"Weally?" Teddy looks at me innocently.
"Always!" I whisper as I press him against him.
"Harry!" I hear Ron call.
I turn to see that the four of them are waiting in the doorway of the carriage and that one of them has already put my trunk and cage in the back of the train.
I hand Teddy to Molly and say, "Thank you so much Molly for everything, for looking after Teddy, for having us and-"
"I know and you're more than welcome but hurry, the train's about to leave!" Molly smiles as the whistle goes.
The train slowly starts to move when I jump on the train, Ginny and Hermione holding my arms as Erin closes the door behind me.
"Thanks," I thank the three girls.
"I hope we're able to find a compartment, we're quite late!" Erin says, as we start walking.
We slowly pass every compartment but we don't find an empty one. We continue till we're nearly at the end of the train.
"I don't think we're going to find an empty one," Hermione announces.
"Neither do I," Ron agrees.
"Wait a second!" I say as I quickly walk to the last compartment, behind the toilets, and next to the conductor's compartment. It's empty, thank Merlin!
"This one's empty," I tell them. They follow me into the compartment, all putting their backpacks on the racks above the seats.
"Wow! I hadn't expected an empty one seeing the train has already left the station!" Ron lets out a sigh and flops on the seat.
I smile as I sit next to the window, Ginny taking the seat next to me. I put my arm around her as Hermione sits next to Ron and Erin.
"So, what do we do now? We already know about each other's holiday, so anyone have a different subject to talk about?" Hermione asks, looking at all of us. I just stare out the window.
It's true, we already know about each other's holiday because we had one together and to be honest, it was one of the best I can ever remember. I've had the chance to get to know Erin loads better. I noticed that Fleur has really taken a liking for Ginny and that Ginny has started to understand Fleur better and that they get along quite well. I loved spending time with Teddy, visiting Luna, meeting Hermione's parents, talking with Andromeda, going to Aunt Petunia and Dudley to wish them a happy new year and everything but there was one thing that made this holiday deserve the title 'the best holiday'. Something happened I've dreamed of since I was left at the Dursleys. I've always wanted to meet or talk to my parents. I didn't meet them but I talked to them and it was the best thing that's ever happened to me, if you don't include Hagrid smashing down the front door and telling me I was a wizard or Ginny kissing me back in the common room after she took my place as seeker and winning the house cup with the team. I loved every single moment with them! I managed to fill them in on a whole part of my life, but the part I loved most was when Mum told me how proud she was of me and Ginny about taking so much care of Teddy and when Dad said he approved of Ginny, leading Mum to slap his head. I loved seeing them, I loved talking to them and the part I loved most was that I loved them. Although I would love to have them here to wave at me from the platform, I wouldn't trade my life for it. I'm just happy now with most things and talking to them is almost the same for me as having them here.
"Harry? Harry?" I faintly hear someone say but I don't pay much attention to it.
"Hermione! Leave him alone!" someone else defends me.
"Fine!" Hermione sighs. The voices are starting to turn more clear now.
"Did I miss anything?" I ask as my surroundings are now clear.
"Well I-"
"No, you didn't, don't worry," Ginny smiles kindly at me before sending a glare at Hermione. Ron and Erin just look like they don't want to interfere with the two fighting girls.
"I'm sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts," I apologise.
"It's fine, I understand, you went through a lot this winter, I'm sorry," Hermione replies, looking ashamed.
"It's okay, don't worry," I tell her, making her smile again.
"Does anyone want to play Exploding Snap or Truth or Dare?" Ron asks us all.
"Sure," Ginny and Erin reply together.
"Which one?" Ron asks, a little impatient.
"I'm okay with either," Erin says and Ginny nods in agreement.
Ron scoffs and looks at me.
"I don't mind which one," I laugh, making it even harder for Ron.
"Neither do I," Hermione adds.
"Well that's going to be an easy choice!" Ron exclaims sarcastically.
"Well, you choose then Ron!" Hermione says softly to Ron.
We finally end up with Truth or Dare but then when someone refuses a Dare that they have to tell a secret to everyone.
"Ron, truth or dare?" Ginny asks.
"Uhh, dare," Ron replies unsurely, knowing his sister will decide on some horrible dare.
"Let me think, find Seamus, give him a kiss on his cheek and then come back here," Ginny grins slyly causing the rest of us except Ron bursting into laughter.
"Wh-what!" Ron stutters, looking horrified.
"You heard me!" Ginny says, raising an eyebrow.
"O-okay," Ron mumbles and leaves the compartment.
"Accio Invisibility Cloak!" I say as it flies into my arms.
"I'm following!" I laugh, covering myself and also leaving the compartment.
I see Ron looking through compartment windows, looking for Seamus. I try to stifle a laugh after seeing Ron looking really nervous.
Ron opens a door and I run to see it happen. Seamus, Neville and a few others greet him. Ron gives Seamus a quick kiss on his cheek and Seamus looks aghast. Ron quickly apologises and runs from their compartment. Neville and Dean and the others burst into laughter while Seamus still looks the same. I can't stop laughing either so I follow Ron back to the others.
"That was bloody brilliant Ron! You should have seen their faces after you left!" I laugh as I enter the compartment.
"You followed!?" Ron exclaims accusingly, turning red.
"Yeah," I say as I start to calm down.
After a few truths and a few dares later, Erin gets dared to run around the train howling like a wolf. I look up and pay attention. Erin looks down at the floor.
"I'm sorry, I refuse," Erin mumbles, breathing faster.
"Why!?" Ron asks disbelievingly.
"Just because," Erin answers flatly.
"Then you have to tell a secret!" Ron says, looking at Erin.
"Okay. Harry? Can you make sure no one else can hear our conversations?" Erin asks, looking scared.
I nod and cast the Muffilato spell so no one can hear us.
"Is it that secret?" Ginny asks kindly.
Erin nods to which Ginny answers, "You don't have to tell if you don't want!"
"I know, I just want you to know because you're my friends and you ought to know. Harry already knows," Erin says, looking at me. I just smile and nod.
"So, tell us," Hermione encourages Erin.
"Promise you won't tell others and please don't scream," Erin asks Ginny, Hermione and Ron.
Now I fully understand why the Sorting Hat had placed Erin into Gryffindor. She's only known us for four months and she's telling us her deepest secret.
"I promise," Ginny and the others say.
"Well, I-I suffer f-from Lycanthropy," Erin stutters, trying not to cry.
"Awhh really!" Hermione says, giving Erin a sympathetic hug.
"Uh?" Ron and Ginny both look clueless.
"It means I become a werewolf every month," Erin says, tears spilling over her cheeks.
Ginny joins Hermione and hands Erin a tissue. Ron just looks at her and apologises for giving her the dare.
"No, it's fine, I was going to tell you anyway, so it really doesn't matter," Erin replies, smiling at Ron.
"I'm surprised you didn't run away from me or look at me like I'm a monster," Erin adds.
"That's because you're not and friends don't leave each other," Ginny replies, putting an arm around her.
"Thank you Ginny," Erin thanks.
*
When we start a conversation about Quidditch, the Trolley Lady comes and opens our compartment door and asks, "Anything from the trolley?"
"No thanks," I say but the others do get some things.
While they enjoy their food, I look out of the window and enjoy the beautiful landscape.
My eyelids start getting heavy and I finally feel them droop as I fall asleep.
*
"Harry, wake up!" I hear someone say my name. I slowly open my eyes. I realise that the sun is already setting.
"What?" I ask groggily.
"It's time to change. We'll change first so you and Ron have to wait outside," Hermione tells me, pushing me outside. The curtains close and Ron and I just stand there speechless.
"What a great way of waking up," I comment sarcastically.
"I reckon it is," Ron replies, just as sarcastic.
After what seems like hours, the girls open the door and tell us that it's our turn to change. I enter the compartment and get my bag from the rack and I take out my uniform and cloak.
Ron closes the door behind him and says, "Those girls take bloody ages don't they!"
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so," I laugh, taking off my shirt and putting on my white blouse and grey jumper.
Ron follows me and after two minutes we let the girls back in again. They continue their conversation while Ron and I have no idea what they're talking about.
Ginny sits next to me for the last bit and looks outside too, just like I am.
"Looks beautiful doesn't it?" Ginny asks.
"It does, just like you," I whisper, making her blush.
"Oh shut up Harry," Ginny laughs, turning around and giving me a quick kiss.
"It feels weird, knowing that this was our last trip to Hogwarts with the Hogwarts Express as a student," I say to Ginny.
"I does feel weird, now you mention it," Ginny agrees, taking a deep breath.
"Hey lovebirds! We'll be arriving soon!" Ron calls even though we're apart by 6.5 feet.
"Fine!" Ginny calls back just as loud.
When the train finally comes to a stop Ron stands up to leave the compartment but Hermione pulls him back down and says," It will be really busy now so we can better wait for a few minutes."
"Yeah, okay, makes sense," Ron agrees and sits back down again.
We wait for a few minutes and finally I stand up and get my things. I leave first with Ginny, Ron and Erin behind me.
"Harry! You might want to see this!?" Hermione calls me back. I return to where she is standing and look to where she's pointing.
In the wooden part next to the door someone has carved something into the wood. As I look closely, I see that there are five names carved into the wood. I gasp when I see whose names they are.
Moony
Wormtail
Padfoot
Prongs
and (finally)
Lily